H. Notification to Donors Regarding Gift Fees
   Spring 1992

Development Policy and Administration Manual 
Chapter III. Gift Administration Policy 
Section H. Notification to Donors Regarding Gift Fees
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NOTIFICATION TO DONORS REGARDING GIFT FEES


General Counsel has held that it is consistent with trust law for
campuses to assess a one-time fee on most restricted-purpose
gifts, except when the donor objects or when restrictive language
in the gift instrument would prohibit imposing a fee.  In these
cases, if negotiations with the donor or the donor's legal
representative do not succeed in removing the objection or
modifying the restrictive language, the campus has the choice of
either deferring to the donor's wishes or rejecting the gift.  

For most of its history, the University did not charge gift fees. 
Now that gift fees have become an important part of campus
operations, General Counsel has recommended the practice of full
and fair disclosure to prospective and current donors regarding
University fund raising and administrative practices.  Any campus
that has implemented a fee policy for new gifts must disseminate
that information clearly to prospective and current donors in
relevant communications and in such a way that the donors are
aware of the gift fee when they make gifts.